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An historic rail company has been accused of arrogance by the leader of a town council over restoration work being carried out. A new platform and buildings are being constructed on The Cob at Porthmadog by the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands Company.

Some locals say they’re unhappy at what they claim has been a lack of consultation over the one million pound scheme – something that’s denied by the company.

The project was given the go-ahead under a Parliamentary Act passed by the UK Government in Westminster following a public inquiry. It means local councilors now have no control over the work.

The leader of Porthmadog Town Council Alwyn Gruffydd has accused the company of arrogance and of ‘bulldozing’ its scheme through the town.

The Cob in the 1960s Credit: ITV News

However Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands says it has kept locals informed about the work through a series of letters and other publicity. The company's General Manager Paul Lewin also says that once the work is complete it will be unobtrusive and help boost tourism in the area.

He says the railway generates around £25 million a year for the local economy. The scheme on the Cob is due to be finished later this year.